University of Maryland Announces Unity Pledge to Fight Hate

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP)- The University of Maryland is taking additional steps to fight hate and increase safety after a fatal stabbing that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

President Wallace Loh announced Thursday that the school will implement a "pledge for respect and unity" for all students. In the fall, events will be held where students can take the unity pledge reaffirming "respect for human dignity, diversity, inclusion and academic freedom."

The announcement comes after police say a black Bowie State University student was fatally stabbed by a white Maryland student on campus last month. Loh says the school also will clarify the code of student conduct to strengthen hate and bias sanctions.

Last week, Loh announced other efforts to battle hate, including a campus safety task force.

DOVER, Del. -- Correctional officials say officers at the Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna confiscated contraband this week, though state officials and union leaders say a sophisticated shank was among the items collected and believe it demonstrateMore

DOVER, Del. -- Correctional officials say officers at the Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna confiscated contraband this week, though state officials and union leaders say a sophisticated shank was among the items collected and believe it demonstrateMore

The Talbot Boys statue in Easton has held it's ground - for now. Pat O'Brien says she can trace her roots to some of the names listed on the statue. She says, despite recent events, it should stay. But Richard Potter with Talbot County NAACP says the statue represents the hate similar to what happened in Charlottesville.

The Talbot Boys statue in Easton has held it's ground - for now. Pat O'Brien says she can trace her roots to some of the names listed on the statue. She says, despite recent events, it should stay. But Richard Potter with Talbot County NAACP says the statue represents the hate similar to what happened in Charlottesville.